Labeling-machine.



P. 0. WOODLAND. LABELING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 5,1909.

1,023,,9 l 1 Patented Apr. 23, 1912.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

216292255 55. JJTVE 27 zar.

.QMQWM.

P. 0. WOODLAND. LABELING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 5, 1909.

1,023,91 1 Patented Apr. 23, 1912.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

244 1 55555. J22 varzzar F. 0. WOODLAND.

LABELING MACHINE.

.APPLIGATION FILED FEB. 5, 1909.

1,023,91 1 Patented Apr. 23, 1912.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

24622 55525. fn'vsrzzar.

F. O. WOODLAND.

LABELING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB.5,1909.

1,023,91 1 Patented Apr. 23, 1912.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

FIG- Q- FIG H. 24612 55555. V nvs'rgiqrw MQW M preparatory to its beingsmoothed down side label in position beneath or against the label; alsoan actuating mechanism for gluing means into operation, and retractingFRANK O. WOODLAND, 0F WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

LABELING-MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 23, 1912.

Application filedFebruary 5, 1909. Serial No. 476,199.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK 0.,VOODLAND, a citizen of theUnited States,residing at lVorcester, in the county of \Vorc'ester and State ofMassachusetts, have invented a new and useful Improvement inLabeling-Machines, of which the following is a specification, referencebeing made therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to improvements in that class of labelingmachines wherein the labels are taken singly, by means of reciprocatingglue-applying pickers, from a, pack, or packs of labels supported upon alabel-holder provided with means that engage the edges of the labels andsupport the pack, while the pickers imprint a surfacing of glue uponthebottom label at or near its ends and adliesivcly withdraw said labelfrom the pack; delivering the same near the bottle or article to whichit is to be applied upon the article by suitable wiper mechanism,as'hcretofore practised.

The object of the present invention is to provide means for distributinggum, glue or adhesive substance upon that portion of the labelintermediate to the portions with which the pickers contact; so that theentire surface can be glue-coated without interfering with the action ofthe pickers and gripping devices; also to provide means for temporarilyretaining the under label to prevent displacement or wrinkling thereofwhile the gum or glue is being applied to the interinedial portion ofthe label, previous to the contact of the pickers with the label. v v

This invention includes the combination, in a labeling machine of theclass named, of means for supporting the pack of labels; means forgripping or retaining the outpack; and means for applying gum or glue tothe central or intermedialportion of the bringing such under-grippingand centerthe same, alternately with the action of the picker deviceswhich taketlie labels from the pack.

In carrying out this invention in practice there is employed asupplemental glue transferring means, or roller, that is arranged tomove into contact with the delivering-roll of the glue-supply reservoir,or other source froin. which gum or glue is taken, and to then traverseacross the exposed face of the pack of labels which are supported insuitable manner upon the label holder, which is preferably an overheadbottom-delivery label-holder.

The practical adaptation of this invention to a labeling machine, in oneform of -its embodiment, is illustrated in the drawings, wherein Figure1 represents a side view of a labeling machine including the invention,some portions of the machine being shown in section. Fig. 2 isa similarview, showing parts of the mechanism at other'positions of their action.Fig. 3 represents the arrangement of the glue or gum coating as appliedto the label by the means. described. Fig. 4 represents a top plan viewof the mechanism. Fig. 5 represents a sectional plan view of thecam-shaft and portions of the mechanism ad acent thereto. Fig. 6 1Sseparate plan view of the pickers and label-retaining fingers, thelatter shown at retracted position. Fig. 7"represents a sectional frontview of the pickers, the label- I holder, center gluing means andadjacent devices. Fig. 8 is a section of the glue-applying roll showinga'preferred manner of removably combining it with its axis-stud. Fig. 9is an end view of'the same. Fig. 10 shows a modification, wherein thepickers serve as a means for temporarily retaining the under label'while the center-gluing means performs its action; and Fig. 11 is a-top plan view of the same modification.

The labeling machine in which my'invention is in the present instanceembodied, comprises, in its general structure, a main frame l'ofsuitable construction for supporting the operating mechanism; anoperating cam-shaft 2, mounted to turn in hearings on said frame, andprovided with a series of cams; a drive pulley 1?, and. an automaticclutch mechanism C for connect ing, and releasing the pulley to startand stop the shaft as required. The clutch is in well known manner.

A picker-carrier 4, movable on guides 5, is arranged to, havereciprocating action toward and from the label-holder; saidpicl'rer-carrier being operated by a lever 6 fulcrumed at 7 and actuatedby a cam 8 on the shaft 2. The end of the lever is best connected withthe picker-carrier by a yieldable connecting means at 9. Theglueapplying pickers 10, of any suitable shape, are secured to thepicker-carrier and arranged so that their faces move into contactwiththe pack, or packs, of labels L and I for taking labels singlytherefrom by adhesion of the glue-coated surfaces thereto. A rest 12,for supporting the bottle or article to be labeled, is attached to aprojecting portion of the frame. A wiper-carrier 13 is arranged to moveup and down upon a guide 3, and is provided with laterally swinging arms14 having the wipers 15 mounted thereon in suitable manner for wipingthe respective ends of the labels down upon the bottle or article to belabeled. Said wiper-carrier is actuated by a cam 16 upon the shaft 2,and means is provided for imparting the required lateral movement to theWiper-arms and wipers, said means being in the present instance actuatedby the cam 17, lever 18 and connecting rod 19.

H indicates the box or holder for containing the supply of labels. Itpreferably consists of an overhead bottom-delivery labelholder providedwith guide stakes having under projecting points or means for supportingthe pack, or packs, of-labels ready for delivering to the pickers. Saidlabelholder may be arranged substantially as heretofore employed. It issupported by a forwardly projecting carrier or bI'ELCkBtQO in connectionwith the top portion of the frame.

G indicates the glue-box oi' reservoir for containing the supply ofglue. The term glue, as used in this specification, is intend ed toinclude glue, gum, paste, or any other vsemi-liquid adhesive substanceemployed for G, delivering-roller 21 and the operating shaft and cams,shown herein for illustras tion, are arranged substantially the same asdescribed in my previous application upon which Letters Patent Number998,664, were granted to me July 27 1911, wherein the nature andoperation of said parts are more fully explained in detail.

The glue-transferring roller 25, which ,al-.

ternately contacts with the delivering roll 21 and with the faces of thepickers 10 for depositing the required film of glue or adhesivesubstance thereon, is carried by swinging arms 26 that are fulcrumedupon the frame and actuated by a cam 27 and retract ing spring 28, orany suitablemcans can be employed for moving the roller 25 back andforth across the picker faces.

The swinging grip-device 30, for centrally clamping the presented labelsagainst the surface of the bottle B, preparatory to its being wiped on,is mounted on an axis 29 in rear of the pickers and is actuated bysuitable connection'from a cam 31 on shaft 2, to operate as heretoforeemployed.

An important feature vof my present invention is the intermedial orcentci gluing means; comprising, preferably, a roller 32, of a dimensionthat will approximately correspond with the space between the pickersl0, and is arranged to travel or have movement across the exposed faceof the pack, or packs, oflabels. When moving in one direction thistransferring or center-gluing roller rolls in contact with the underlabel; and when moving in the other d1rect10n it is caused to descendsufficiently to avoid contact with thelabel; such action being impartedthereto by a controlling means included in its actuating mechanism. Thiscenter-gluing roller is best mounted upon a supplemental carrieroperated in connection with the roller 25 that charges glue or gumontovthe faces of the picker; the latter roller being usually mountedupon backwardly and forwardly swinging arms 26 operated by a cam andsuitable connections. While the two rollers 25 and 32 move forwardand-backward in unison, a separate actuator or cam is provided forgiving such modified movementto the center-gluing roller 32 as may be required to enable it to travel in the desired path.v If in any instancepreferred, independent actuating means may be employed for' working thecenter-gluing means. In.

the presentunstance the roller 32 is mounted upona studor axis 33carried upon av tilting lever 34 that is fulcrumed upon a rearward] yprojecting member 35 attached to one of the swinging arms 26 upon whichthe roller 25 is mounted. The rear end of the lever 34: is

connected, by a rod 36, with means actuated by a cam 37 upon theoperating shaft. Said means, in the present instance, consists of aswinging arm 38 fulcrumed at 7 and provided with a roll-stud 39 whichruns against the face of the cam; said cam being of suitable shape tocontrol the movement of the center-gluingroller 32, so that it willtravel in the path desired as its car'rier moves forward and back.

The glue or adhesive substance, is applied to the back of the label,substantially in the form shown in Fig. 3; the inter-medial or centralportion a being coated by the contact therewith of roller 32, and theend por- 'tions 1) by contact of the pickers; thus'atgluing roller 32passes across the under label between said fingers, and spreads a filmof glue upon the central portion of the label. Said fingers and rollerare then retracted out of the way to permit the approach of thepicker's,without interference, for completing the glue coating upon thelabel, and taking the label from the pack. 1

The means for operating the retaining fingers can be supported in amanner to move said fingers forward to a position beneath the pack, andthen upward against the under label, either by a compound movement, orby traveling in the are of a circle; and the actuating mechanismtherefor is best arranged to operate in conjunction with thepicker-carrier 4 which moves up and down on the guides 5; or by otherapproved means.

The label-retaining fingers 40, in-the present instance, are united attheir rear ends, and provided with a rearward extension 41 that ispivotally connected to a pair of swinging arms 42; the opposite ends ofsaid arms being pivoted to a suitable-support or bracket 43 fixed on theframe. One of said arms is furnished with an ear or projecting member 44that is connected by a rod 45 with one arm of an angle lever 46; theother arm-of which is provided with a roll-stud 47 that contacts with aninclineor cam member 49 attached to the picker-carrier 4. Said cammember serves for retracting the fingers 40 out of the path of thepickers (see Figs. 2 and 6) when the picker-carrier is elevated forbringing the glue-charged pickers to the delivery .mouth of thelabelholder, and against the pack, or packs, of

labels.

I/Vhen the cam member 49 moves downward away from the roller-stud 47 thefingers 40 are projected forward and pressed upward against the underlabel of the" pack by the gravity of the actuating parts, or by the aidof a suitably arranged spring 50; thereby securely retaining the underlabel temporarily in position and preventing any wrinkling or sidewisedisplacement thereof -while-the center-gluing means or roller 32 travelsacross the label. I

' Thelabel-retaining fingers .are shown'in Fig. 1 as at forward positionand in contact with the label packs, and the center-gluing rollerbeingshown as at an intermediate position inits action; while in Figs. 2and 6 the fingers are shown at their retracted position, and thetransferring rollers 25 and 32 at their rearmost'position in contactwith the glue-delivering roll.

A suitable follower means 51 is combined with the label-holder foraffording resistance for the pack in opposition to the pressure of thepickers, and for automatically following the feed of the pack as itdecreases.

In some instances it is desirable -to use center-gluing means of variousdimensions, to accommodate different sizes of labels; therefore,- tofacilitate the interchange of the center-gluing rollers, said rollersare preferably constructed and "mounted as shown in Figs. 8 and 9. Inthis instance the up to the point where the bearing surface terminateswith a narrow lip 55. This con-.

struction permits of the center-gluing roller being readily lifted oifand replaced at will;

but it is normally retained in operativereand shoulder at the ends ofthe bearing surface. Rollers 32, in avariety of sizes, can

thus be interchangeably used on the axisstud 33, and interchange orremoval and replacing of the rollers upon the stud can be instantlyeffected when desired.

In the operation; when the pickers 10 move away from the label-holder Hthe cam-member 49 permits the angle-lever 46, by its gravity or by aidof the spring 50, to draw down the projection 44, causing the arms 42 toproject the fingers 40 beneath the pack and swing them against the underlabel. Then by the forward swing of the arms 26 the roller '32 is causedto pass across the exposed portion of the, label between the fingers,applying adhesive to the cent-ral portion or tapered. and rounded at theend, as at 54,

es roller 32 is formed with a comparatively short inner tube 52; thesize of the hub belation without other fastening than the lip contactwith the label for applying the glue -manner.

in respect to the position of the fingers and or adhesive to the endportions 5 of the label; and as the pickers recede, take said label fromthe pack for presentation ofthe same adjacent to the bottle in the usualThe relative position of the label gluing roll is indicated at 1 onFigs. 6, 7 andv 11.

- As illustrated in Fig. 2, the center-gluing roll 32.is shown at itsidle position, with its face in contact with the glue-delivery roller 21for taking a supply of glue therefrom; but if preferred in any instancesaid roller 32 may contact with the transferring roller 25 for receivingits charge of glue therefrom, instead of from the delivering-rolldirect; since a slight increase in the length of its supporting meanswould render said rollers 32 and 25 contactible with each other. In someinstances the center-gluing means or rollercan be employed incombination with glue-applying pickers without using thelabel-retainingfingers; said center-gluing means being arranged to travel across theunder label while the pickers are in contact therewith and applying glueto the end portions, the labels being then retained by the. pickerswhile the center-gluing means performs its action upon the label. Anexample ofsuch modification is illustrated in Figs. 10 and 11, wherein56 indicates the reciprocating roll-carrier means, 57 an actuator forimparting movement thereto, and 58 means for elevating and depressingthe roll-carrier. The parts 56 and 57 may be operated by any approvedmeans from the cam-shaft or other moving parts of the machine. Thislatter form of embodiment is in its resultant efiect quite similar tothat first limited to the special constructions in detail herein shownand described; but

What I claim and desire to secure by Let ters Patent is- 1-. In abottle-labeling machine, the combination of means for supporting a packof labels with the bottom face of the pack exbination, of a top-chargedopen-bottomed label-holder having means for supporting a pack of labels,means for supporting said label-holder in an overhanging position, apairof vertically reciprocating glue-applying pickers that contact withthe respective end portions of the exposed label for gluing and takingsaid label from the pack, and a supplementary glue-applying means thatmoves underneath the label-holder across the face of the pack anddistributes glue upon the central portion, of the bottom of the pack.

, 3. In a labeling machine, the combination, of a top-chargedbottom-delivering labelholder having means for supporting a supply oflabels thereon, glue-applying pickers movable to and from saidlabel-holder, and adapted for'printing a film of-glue upon portions ofthe under'label and adhesively extracting labels, one at a time, fromthe labelholder, a glue-applying means that acts for spreading glue uponthat part ofthe label not included by the pickers, and means fortemporarily retaining thelabel from displacement by said glue-applyingmeans.

4. In labeling machine, in combination with means for affixing labels tobottles or the like, and a stationary bottom-delivering label-holderhaving stakes adapted for supporting a. pack of labels at the edges, andfor thedelivery of the under label at a determined position; of a rollerfor gluing the under label on the pack, and a backwardly and forwardlymoving carrier mechanism for advancing and retracting said gluing rollerinto and from alinement with the pack of labels, and means for varyingthe height at which said roller travels during its forward and backwardmovement.

a 5. In a labeling machine, the combination with the projectingwork-supporting rest, vertically moving picker-carrier and pickers,centering clamp and laterally swinging downwardly acting wipers foraflixing labels to bottles or the like, and a top-chargedbottom-delivering label-holder comprising several packs upon thelabel-holder, and means for raising and lowering said roller into andfrom contact with the labels.

6. In a labeling machine, the combination, of a bottom-deliverylabel-holder, reciprocating glue-applying pickers that apply glue to theend portions of the under label upon said" label-holder, a supplementaryglue-applying means for primarily glue-coating the central portion ofsaid label, a retractable grippinggdevice that temporarily retains thelabel while said sup -vancing and retracting said gripping means intoand from alinement with the pack of labels;

8. In a'labeling machine, a label-gluing means including a pair ofglue-applying pickers that move approximately perpen dicular to theplane of the labels, and a glue-applying roller that travels along theplane of the label, approximately transverse to the direction of thepicker movement.

9.'In a labeling machine, the combination, of a bottom-deliveringlabel-holder having guides for supporting a pack of labels thereon, afollower that resists upward movements of the pack; a grippingmeans thatmoves to and from thebottom of the pack and exerts upward pressureagainst the under label, and a glue-applying device that moves acrossthe under side of the label-holder, and means for elevating anddepressing said glue-applying device to pass in contact with the label,and re-pass out of contact with the label, or vice versa.

10. 'In a labeling machine, the combination with a work-supporting rest,means for aflixing a label to a bottle or the like, meansfor supportinga ,pack of labels with the bottom label exposed for delivery, andglueapplying pickers for adhesively extracting labels singly from thebottom of the pack; of an independently acting glue-applying meanscomprising a glue distributing device or roll that traverses across anintermediate portion of the exposed label and deposits glue thereonwhile said label is in the pack, a backwardly and forwardly swingingcarrier, a yieldable supporter mounted on said carrier and having saidglue-'distributlng device or roll supported thereon, means for actuatingthe swinging carrier, and supplementary means" for controlling theaction of said supporter to regulate the approach, traverse movement andretreat of said glue-distributing device in relation to the plane of thelabel.

11. In a labeling machine, the combination, with means for affixing alabel to a bottle or the like, means for supporting a pack of labels,with its outer label exposed for delivery, and means for adhesivelyextracting a label singly from the pack; of an independently actingglue-applying means that passes across an intermediate portion of.the-exposed label and deposits glue thereon, while said label isassembled with the pack, and means for temporal ily preserving the planeof the exposed label while said glue-applying means passes in contacttherewith.

12. The combination, with a label-holder having means for supporting apack of labels thereon, and glue-applying pickers having movementperpendicular to the plane of the labels, and that act in conjunctionwith the label-holder for adhesively taking labels, one-at a time,therefrom; of a supplementalglue-applying device consisting of aglue-carrying roller, the length of which approximately corresponds tothe space between said pickers, and means for passing said glue-applyingroller in longitudinal relation to the glue-applying picker plates, intocontact with the central area of the'label, without touching the extremeedges thereof, and before said label is taken from the label-holder bysaid pickers.

13. The combination, of a bottom-delivering label-holder, a gluingroller that travels across the central portion of the under label onsaid label-holder, a carrier for said roller, means for operating saidcarrier, glue-applying pickers that act to take labels, one at a time,from said label-holder, a carrier for said pickers, a label-retainingdevice that acts against the under label, and means for operating saidlabel-retaining device controlled by movement of the picker-carrier.

14:. In a labeling machine, the combination of a top-chargedbottom-delivering label-holder, comprising means for supporting aplurality of packs of labels thereon, l label-gluing device thattraverses in contact with the surface of the label underneath saidlabel-holder, and returns to position out of alinement with the path "ofthe label; a labelretaining means that simultaneously engages the underlabel in each of the several packs, and mechanisms for actuating saidlabel-gluing device and' said label-retaining means "to bring them intoacting engagement with the labels upon said labelholder.

15. The combination, of a bottom-deliverh ing label-holder, a verticallymoving pickercarrier, horizontal-faced pickers thereon, a glue-reserv0irand glue-delivering roll, a

--transfer-roller for conveying glue therefrom to the face of thepickers, swinging arms carrying said transfer-roller, a supplementarycarrier pivotally mounted in connection with one of said arms, a centrallabel-gluing roller supported on said sup plementary carrier to actagainst the underlabel 11 on said label-holder, a controlling connectionattached to said supplementary carrier, and means for actuating saidconnection for controlling the position of said carrier and gluingroller in relation to the surface of the label.

16. The combination with devices for placing and afiixing labels uponarticles, of a top-charged bottom-delivering labelholder, a pair ofretaining fingers that move into conjunction with the under label uponsaid label-holder, a pair of swinging arms supporting said fingers, aglue-applying roller that travels across the label between said fingers,means for moving said roller back and forth, means for controlling theelevation of said roller in its path, and means for supplying glue tothe face of the roller.

17. The combination, of means for supporting a pack of labels fordelivery, pickers that take labels singly from said pack, means formoving said pickers to and from the pack, a glue-supply means, aglue-applying device that receives glue from said supply and travelsacross the label pack to deposit a film of glue upon the exposed label,a pair of labelretaining members adapted for clamping said labeladjacent to the path of said glue-applying device, means for supportingsaid retaining members, an actuatlng means whereby said label-retainingmembers are advanced into contact with the label, and retracted out ofthe path of the pickers as the latter approach the pack, and means foroperating the said glue-applying device synchronous with the clamping ofthe label.

- 18. In a labeling machine, the combination, of a bottom-deliveringlabel-holder, means for supporting the label-holder in an overhangingposition, a vertically r'eciprocating picker-carrier, .pickers mountedon said carrier that coact withsaid labelholder for taking labelstherefrom, apair of label-retaining fingers, a. pair of swinging armspivotally connected at one end to a support and carrying at their otherend said label-retaining fingers suspended to swing into and fromcontact with the under label upon said label-holder, a pivotallysupport-l ed angle-lever provided wlth a contact member or roll-stud, arod connecting one arm of said angle-lever with an ear upon one of saidswinging arms, and a cam-piece at tached to the picker-carrier and enagcable with the contact member of sai anglelever. W

19. In a machine for affixing labels upon bottles or the like, thecombination, .of a top-charged bottom-delivering label-holder, means forprimarily glue-coating the central. portion of the under-label thereon,devices for retaining said label while receiving the glue-coating, meansfor advancing the retaining-devices and pressing the same yieldinglyagainst the under-label, means for positively retract-ing said retainingdevices, reciprocating pickers that subsequently glue-coat the endportions of said label, take it from the label-holder and transfer it toa position for afiixment to the bottle, a grip-device for pressing thecentral glued portion of the label against the bottle, and laterally andvertically moving wipers ,that wipe down the end portions of the label.v

20. In a machine for affixing labels to bottles or the like, thecombination, of a' stationary rest, a top-charged bottom-deliverylabel-holder, a support therefor having e11- gaging devices whereon thelabel-holder is sustained in an overhanging position above said rest,vertically moving horizontal-faced glue-applying pickers that act.inconjunction with said label-holder for taking labels singly therefrom,means for spreading glue upon the faces of said pickers, a supplementaryglue-applying roller that acts to apply glue to the central portion ofthe label, means for effecting and controlling the movement of saidglue-applying roller, means for temporarily sustaining said label whilereceivlng its central coat of glue, mechanism for advancing andretract-ing the sustaining devices, a grip-device that presses thecentral glued portion of the label u on the bottle or article, andvertically and aterally moving wipers for wiping the res ective ends-0fthe label down upon the bott e.

21. In a labeling machine, the combination with means for affixinglabels to bottles 'or the like} of an overhanging bottom-deliveringlabel-holder, glue-applying pickers that take labels singly therefrom, aglue-box and glue-delivering roll, a roller that transfers gluetherefrom to the face of the pickers, swinging arms carrying saidtransferring roller, a tilting carrier-lever fulcrumed on a projectingmember fixed to one of said arms, a supplementary label-gluing roller,its axis mounted on said carrier-lever, said transferring roller andgluing-roller adapted to move into conjunction with the gluedeliveringroll, an operating shaft, a cam thereon that actuates said swingingarms, a

cam for controlling said tilting carrier-lever, connections thattransmit motion from said cam t0 the carrier-lever, and a retractablemeans that moves under the label-holder for retaining the label Whilesaid gluingroller is in contact therewith.

22. The combination, with the labelholder, label affixing means, acenter-gluing roller, and the carrier supporting said center gluingroller; of a roll-supporting axis-- stud having a recessed bearingsurface upon 1 which the hub of the roller runs a lip and shoulder atthe respective ends of said bear ing surface, and having the under sideof 7 said stud beveled off at its outer end,,= for the purpose setforth.

Witness my hand this 2nd day of Febru- 15 A. G. DAVIS.

